
NOTE.—"The church is God's appointed
agency for the salvation of men. It was or-
ganized for service, and its mission is to
carry the gospel to the world. From the be-
ginning it has been God's plan that through
His church shall be reflected to the world His
fullness and His sufficiency. The members of
the church, those whom He has called out of
darkness into His marvelous light, are to
show forth His glory. The church is the
repository of the riches of the grace of
Christ; and through the church will even-
tually be made manifest, even to 'the princi-
palities and powers in heavenly places,' the
final and full display of the love of God."—
The Acts of the Apostles,
page 9.
9.
What are we as members of
God's church to be and do? Isa. 43:10-
12;
42:6,7; 49:8, 9.
NOTE.—"The church is God's fortress, His
city of refuge, which He holds in a revolted
world. . . . From the beginning, faithful
souls have constituted the church on earth.
In every age the Lord has had His watch-
men, who have borne a faithful testimony to
the generation in which they lived. . . . God
brought these witnesses into covenant rela-
tion with Himself, uniting the church on
earth with the church in heaven."—The
Acts
of the Apostles,
page 11.
The Support of the Church
10.
What basic plan does God
have, to provide for His house? Mal.
3:10-12.
NOTE.—"As to the amount required, God
has specified one tenth of the increase. This
is left to the conscience and benevolence of
men, whose judgment in this tithing system
should have free play. And while it is left
free to the conscience, a plan has been laid
out definite enough for all. No compulsion is
required."—Testimonies,
vol. 3, p. 394.
11.
What example of liberality do
we find in the early apostolic church?
Acts 4:32-35;
2 Cor. 8:1-5, 7.
NOTE.—"This liberality on the part of the
believers was the result of the outpouring of
the Spirit. . . . One common interest con-
trolled them,—the success of the mission en-
trusted to them; and covetousness had no
place in their lives. Their love for their
brethren and the cause they had espoused,
was greater than their love of money and
possessions. Their works testified that they
accounted the souls of men of higher value
than earthly wealth. . . . Money, time, in-
fluence,—all the gifts they have received
from God's hand, they will value only as a
means of advancing the work of the gospel."
—The Acts of the Apostles,
pages 70, 71.
12.
In what spirit should our gifts
to God
be
made? 2 Cor. 9:5-7;
Luke
6:38.
NoTE.—"Unselfish liberality threw the
early church into a transport of joy; for
the believers knew that their efforts were
helping to send the gospel message to those
in darkness. Their benevolence testified that
they had not received the grace of God in
vain. What could produce such liberality
but the sanctification of the Spirit? In the
eyes of believers and unbelievers it was a
miracle of grace.
"Spiritual prosperity is closely bound up
with Christian liberality. The followers of
Christ should rejoice in the privilege of re-
vealing in their lives the beneficence of their
Redeemer. As they give to the Lord, they
have the assurance that their treasure is
going before them to the heavenly courts."
—The Acts of the Apostles,
page 344.
Conclusions and Convictions
1.
It is a great privilege to be a Christian
and a part of the Christian church.
2.
This privilege also carries with it cer-
tain very definite responsibilities and duties.
3.
The real Christian never thinks of how
much he can
get
out of his church, but rather
how much he can
give
to his church.
4.
"Not until God ceases to bless His chil-
dren will they cease to be under bonds to
return to Him the portion that He claims."
—The Acts of the Apostles,
page 339.
5.
"God has made the proclamation of the
gospel dependent upon the labors and the
gifts of His people. Voluntary offerings and
[ 38 ]